Abstract Associations between the WNT5A rs566926 variant and non-syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOC) have been reported in different populations. Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of the rs566926 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in WNT5A and its interactions with SNPs in BMP4, FGFR1, GREM1, MMP2, and WNT3 in the occurrence of NSOC in a Brazilian population. Methodology A case-control genetic association study was carried out involving participants from four regions of Brazil, totaling 801 patients with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P), 273 patients with cleft palate only (NSCPO), and 881 health volunteers without any congenital condition (control). Applying TaqMan allelic discrimination assays, we evaluated WNT5A rs566926 in an ancestry-structured multiple logistic regression analysis, considering sex and genomic ancestry as covariates. Interactions between rs566926 and variants in genes involved in the WNT5A signaling pathway (BMP4, FGFR1, GREM1, MMP2, and WNT3) were also explored. Results WNT5A rs566926 was significantly associated with an increased risk of NSCL±P, particularly due to a strong association with non-syndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO), in which the C allele increased the risk by 32% (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04–1.67, p=0.01). According to the proportions of European and African genomic ancestry, the association of rs566926 reached significant levels only in patients with European ancestry. Multiple interactions were detected between WNT5A rs566926 and BMP4 rs2071047, GREM1 rs16969681 and rs16969862, and FGFR1 rs7829058. Conclusion The WNT5A rs566926 polymorphism was associated with NSCL±P, particularly in individuals with NSCLO and high European ancestry. Epistatic interactions involving WNT5A rs566926 and variants in BMP4, GREM1, and FGFR1 may contribute to the risk of NSCL±P in the Brazilian population. WNTA WNT rs rs56692 nonsyndromic non syndromic (NSOC populations SNP (SNP BMP FGFR GREM MMP2 MMP population casecontrol case control Brazil 80 NSCLP , NSCL P (NSCL±P) 27 NSCPO, NSCPO (NSCPO) 88 control. . (control) assays ancestrystructured structured analysis covariates (BMP4 explored NSCLO, (NSCLO) 32 OR (OR 132 1 1.32 95 CI 104167 04 67 1.04–1.67 p=0.01. p001 p p=0.01 0 01 p=0.01) rs2071047 rs1696968 rs16969862 rs7829058 rs5669 8 (NSCL±P 2 (NSCPO (control (BMP (NSCLO 3 13 1.3 9 10416 6 1.04–1.6 p00 p=0.0 rs207104 rs169696 rs1696986 rs782905 rs566 1. 1041 1.04–1. p0 p=0. rs20710 rs16969 rs169698 rs78290 rs56 104 1.04–1 p=0 rs2071 rs1696 rs7829 rs5 10 1.04– p= rs207 rs169 rs782 1.04 rs20 rs16 rs78 1.0 rs2 rs1 rs7

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the access and utilization of dental services in a reference center for orofacial defects in the state of Bahia, Brazil. In an interview, a questionnaire was done about socio-demographic information, cleft type, specialized treatments, scheduling time and return of the consultation of 101 patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate and 101 healthy controls. In both groups the age was between 5 to 12 years old. It was observed that individuals with cleft had faster access to the dental service in relation to the control group and shorter scheduling time between the first consultation and their return. Different needs in the use of dental services were observed in the study groups with differences in relation to the specialties (p=0.000). The nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate individuals showed socialization difficulties in the age group between 9 and 12 years and did not present difficulties in accessing primary dental care in specialized service. In conclusion, in this study NSCL±P individuals did not present difficulties in accessing the specialized dental center. To complement the comprehensive care, it is suggested the performance of educational activities of oral health, not yet fully implemented in this multidisciplinary treatment center. Bahia Brazil interview sociodemographic socio demographic information type treatments 10 controls 1 old p=0.000. p0000 p p=0.000 . 0 000 (p=0.000) conclusion NSCLP NSCL P health p000 p=0.00 00 (p=0.000 p00 p=0.0 (p=0.00 p0 p=0. (p=0.0 p=0 (p=0. p= (p=0 (p= (p

RESUMO Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo determinar o acesso e a utilização de serviços odontológicos em centro de referência para pacientes com defeitos orofaciais no estado da Bahia, Brasil. Em entrevista um questionário foi preenchido sobre informações sociodemográficas, tipo de fissura, tipos de tratamentos especializados, tempo para agendamento e de retorno da consulta de 101 pacientes com fissura labial com ou sem fissura palatina não sindrômica e 101 indivíduos controles sem a malformação. Em ambos os grupos a faixa etária foi de 5 a 12 anos. Observou-se que indivíduos fissurados tiveram acesso mais rápido ao serviço odontológico em relação ao grupo controle e menor tempo de agendamento entre a primeira consulta e o retorno. Distintas necessidades na utilização de serviços odontológicos foram observadas nos grupos de estudo com diferenças em relação às especialidades (p=0,000). Indivíduos com fissura labial com ou sem fissura palatina não sindrômica mostraram dificuldades de socialização no grupo de faixa etária entre 9 e 12 anos e não tiveram dificuldades no acesso ao serviço odontológico especializado. Através desse estudo concluiu-se que os indivíduos fissurados não apresentaram dificuldades no acesso ao serviço especializado. Sugere-se a implementação de atividades educacionais básicas de saúde oral nesse centro de tratamento multidisciplinar. Bahia Brasil sociodemográficas especializados 10 malformação 1 Observouse Observou se p=0,000. p0000 p p=0,000 . 0 000 (p=0,000) especializado concluiuse concluiu Sugerese Sugere multidisciplinar p000 p=0,00 00 (p=0,000 p00 p=0,0 (p=0,00 p0 p=0, (p=0,0 p=0 (p=0, p= (p=0 (p= (p

Resumo Shōgorō Tsuboi é considerado o principal fundador da antropologia japonesa, desenhando seu escopo inicial, promovendo e norteando a criação de uma comunidade científica antropológica. Assim, neste artigo, a trajetória de Tsuboi é analisada, buscando compreender o início da antropologia no Japão. A atuação de Tsuboi também reflete o contexto social e político da época, construindo uma carreira em meio ao tão buscado diálogo com a academia ocidental e o recrudescimento da agenda nacionalista do Estado japonês.

Abstract Shōgorō Tsuboi is considered the main founder of Japanese anthropology, designing its initial scope, promoting and guiding the creation of an anthropological scientific community. Thus, in this article, Tsuboi’s trajectory is analyzed, seeking to understand the beginning of anthropology in Japan. Tsuboi’s work also reflects the social and political context of the time, building a career in the midst of the much sought after dialogue with the Western academy and the resurgence of the nationalist agenda of the Japanese state.

Abstract The aim of this research was to evaluate age-related changes in the smile of Brazilian women. The sample consisted of 249 Brazilian women who had not undergone previous orthodontic treatment or facial surgery. They were divided into four groups, according to age: G1 (20-29), G2 (30-39), G3 (40-49) and G4 (50 or older). Standardized front view photographs were taken while smiling and at rest. Measurements were evaluated by ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey. The Chi-square test was applied for qualitative variables. Upper lip thickness at rest and exposure of upper incisors on smiling decreased with age. Most individuals (60.9%) exhibited a medium smile. High smiles were more often seen in G1 (45%) and less frequently in G4 (18.8%), whereas the opposite occurred with the low smile, i.e., G4 (21.9%) and G1 (6.7%). Variations among the groups were observed in the transverse exposure of the teeth on smiling. In G1 and G3, there was a balance between tooth exposures, so that the teeth were exposed as far as the premolars and/or molars. Most of the women (56.3%) in G2 exposed their teeth as far as the first molars on smiling, whereas most of those (40.6%) in G4 exposed their teeth only as far as the first premolars on smiling. As age increased, there was decreased exposure of the upper incisors, decreased upper lip thickness and lower exposure of teeth vertically and transversely.

É importante para o embarcador de cargas dispor de opções de escolha de diferentes caminhos e modos de transportes em momentos diversos que reduzam seu custo esperado total. O propósito deste trabalho é apresentar uma abordagem que faz uso do conceito de hipercaminhos para apoiar a decisão de escolha de caminhos e modos de transporte pelos embarcadores de cargas. É sugerido um modelo de seleção de rotas ótimas, através da programação matemática, para transporte de carga multimodal que emprega o conceito de hipercaminhos. Este modelo produz como resultado um conjunto estratégico de melhores caminhos para o embarcador, corroborando a definição de hipercaminhos, oriunda da literatura científica de modelos de transporte público. São apresentadas adaptações conceituais dessa abordagem para o transporte de carga. Um exemplo ilustrativo do modelo é usado para mostrar a sua aplicação.

It is important for cargo shippers to have options to choose different paths and modes of transport at different times to reduce your total expected cost. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach that makes use of the hyperpath's concept to support the decision of the cargo shippers of choosing paths and transport's modes. It is suggested a model for selecting optimal routes by mathematical programming for multimodal freight transportation which employs the concept of hyperpath. This model produces as result a strategic set of best paths for the shipper, according to the definition of hyperpath, derived from the scientific literature of models of public transport. Adjustments of this approach are presented for the transport of cargo. An illustrative example of the model is used to show its application.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a angiogênese em feridas cutâneas no dorso de ratos tratados com o laser de λ660 nm. A neovascularização é um processo que envolve o aparecimento vascular, a migração das células endoteliais, a proliferação e a formação tubular. Embora diversos estudos in vivo demonstrem que a fototerapia laser influencia no reparo tecidual, uma compreensão completa dos mecanismos da angiogênese ainda não é conhecida. Foram utilizados 24 ratos Wistar novos, machos e adultos pesando entre 200 e 250 g. Uma ferida excisional foi criada no dorso de cada animal sob anestesia geral e os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: G0 (controle) e G1 (laser λ660 nm, 16 mW, 10 J/cm2). Cada grupo foi subdividido em três subgrupos de acordo com o sincronismo da morte dos animais (2, 4 e 6 dias). A irradiação laser foi iniciada imediatamente após a cirurgia, sendo repetida diariamente durante a experiência, avaliada por meio de vermelho de Sirius, específico para o colágeno e avaliação imunológica com anti-TGF-β e o Fator anti-von Willebrand. As seções marcadas foram submetidas à análise histológica no foto-microscópio, onde a área média de cada subgrupo foi calculada e analisada usando o teste ANOVA e de Tukey (α=0,05). Os valores dos animais irradiados foram maiores em certos períodos da morte, na expressão do colágeno e no número de vasos em comparação com os grupos controles. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada na expressão do TGF-β entre os grupos nos períodos. Conclui-se que o tratamento com laser λ660 nm contribuiu para o aumento da angiogênese.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the angiogenesis on dorsal cutaneous wounds in a rodent model treated with λ660 nm laser light. New vessel formation is a multistep process involving vessel sprouting, endothelial cell migration, proliferation and tube formation. Although several in vivo studies have shown that laser phototherapy influences tissue repair, a fully understanding of angiogenesis mechanisms are not yet known. Twenty-four young adult male Wistar rats weighing between 200 and 250 g were used. Under general anesthesia, one excisional wound was created on the dorsum of each animal and they were randomly distributed into two groups: one control and one treated with laser (λ660 nm, 16 mW, 10 J/cm2). Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the animal death timing (2, 4 and 6 days). Laser irradiation started immediately after surgery and was repeated every other day during the experiment and marked with Sirius Red, specific for collagen, and immunomarked with anti-TGF-β and anti-von Willebrand factor. Marked sections underwent histological analysis by light microscopy and the mean area of the wound of each animal was calculated and analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Although at some death periods, collagen expression and number of blood vessels on irradiated animals were higher than in the control ones, no significant differences were found at any time in relation to TGF-β expression (p>0.05). It was concluded that laser treatment (λ660 nm) contributed to increase angiogenesis.

A noção de causalidade e de ordem permeia o entendimento das questões da vida, mesmo em uma visão dogmática. Partindo deste pressuposto, é plausível estudar o que dá sentido nas justificativas que embasam uma visão dogmática da ciência e que comumente tratamos de cientificismo. Com base em uma triangulação metodológica, desenvolveu-se um estudo de cunho qualitativo a fim de se mapearem, através das representações sociais, os elementos que fundamentam uma visão dogmática da ciência, considerando, como hipótese alternativa, uma visão otimista. Trabalhando com alunos do primeiro ano de um curso profissionalizante de Ensino Médio em saúde, observamos a presença de certos elementos do discurso cientificista ancorados, sobretudo, na ideia da ciência como único conhecimento. Assim, faz-se premente a historicização do saber-fazer cientifico, a fim de se contextualizar a ciência como produção humana.

The order and causality notions pervade the understanding of life matters even in a dogmatic perspective. That being so, it is plausible to study the justifications that make dogmatic view of science meaningful, often treated as scientism. Based on a methodological triangulation, it has been carried out a qualitative study in order to map the elements that support such perspective by means of social representations, considering as alternative hypothesis an optimistic vision of science. Working with first grade mid-level students of a technical course in Health, we could observe the existence of certain elements of scientist discourse based on the conception of science knowledge as unique. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the history of scientific activity so as to contextualize science as human production.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the association between overbite and craniofacial growth pattern. The sample comprised eighty-six cephalograms obtained during the orthodontic pretreatment phase and analyzed using the Radiocef program to identify the craniofacial landmarks and perform orthodontic measurements. The variables utilized were overbite, the Jarabak percentage and the Vert index, as well as classifications resulting from the interpretation of these measurements. In all the statistical tests, a significance level of 5% was considered. Measurement reliability was checked by calculating method error. Weighted Kappa analysis showed that agreement between the facial types defined by the Vert index and the direction of growth trend established by the Jarabak percentage was not satisfactory. Owing to this lack of equivalency, a potential association between overbite and craniofacial growth pattern was evaluated using the chi-square test, considering the two methods separately. No relationship of dependence between overbite and craniofacial growth pattern was revealed by the results obtained. Therefore, it can be concluded that the classification of facial growth pattern will not be the same when considering the Jarabak and the Ricketts anayses, and that increased overbite cannot be associated with a braquifacial growth pattern, nor can openbite be associated with a dolichofacial growth pattern.

A membrana basal é uma estrutura dinâmica que sofre modificações qualitativas e quantitativas durante a progressão do carcinoma escamocelular, e este processo é de fundamental importância na invasão neoplásica e metástase. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o comportamento da membrana basal em carcinomas escamocelulares de boca com diferentes graus de malignidade histológica através da expressão imuno-histoquímica da laminina. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Coorte histórica com corte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Trinta e um casos de carcinoma escamocelular de boca foram submetidos à graduação histológica para tumores malignos. Através do método da streptavidina-biotina, foi verificada a expressão imuno-histoquímica da laminina em relação à sua intensidade e integridade nas lesões com diferentes graus de malignidade. RESULTADOS: Foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas dos valores médios da intensidade e da continuidade de marcação da laminina em relação aos diferentes graus de malignidade. CONCLUSÃO: Ficou demonstrado que a laminina, uma glicoproteína presente na membrana basal, sofreu modificações diferenciadas em carcinomas escamocelulares de boca nos diferentes graus de malignidade histológica.

The basement membrane is a dynamic structure that undergoes quantitative and qualitative changes during the progression of squamous cell carcinoma, which is essencially important in tumoral invasion and metastasis. AIM: This study is aimed at investigating the behavior of the basement membrane in oral squamous cell carcinomas with different malignancy scores, which were obtained through the immunohistochemical expression of the laminin, a glycoprotein present in the basement membrane. STUDY DESING: History cross-sectional cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-one cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were subjected to histological grading of malignant tumors. The immunohistochemical expression of the laminin in lesions bearing different scores of malignancy was evaluated according to intensity and integrity, using the Streptavidin-Biotin complex method. RESULTS: We noticed significant differences in the media between intensity and continuity laminin expression in relation to different grades of malignancy. CONCLUSION: Different expressions of laminin, a glycoprotein present in basement membranes were evident in oral cell carcinomas within different grades of histological malignancy.

O presente estudo comparou as forças em arcos de intrusão com dobra V confeccionados em aço inoxidável, TiMolium® e TMA®, com diferentes magnitudes de deflexão. A amostra constou de fios de secção retangular e calibre 0,017" x 0,025", com dez arcos de cada liga. Todas as dobras em V foram confeccionadas a 48 mm distantes da linha média, e foi utilizado o mesmo manequim de maxila para manter a mesma distância entre os tubos fixados nos molares e a linha média. As cargas necessárias para defletir os arcos em 5, 10, 15 e 20 mm foram mensuradas por meio de dinamômetro com célula de carga de 1 kgf, da marca Instron. O cálculo para o tamanho de amostra confirmou a possibilidade de se utilizar dez arcos de cada liga. Os testes de variância (ANOVA) de um fator e três níveis, complementados com os testes de Tukey para comparações múltiplas, identificaram que os arcos de intrusão de TMA® requereram menor quantidade de carga em relação ao aço convencional e ao TiMolium® em todos os níveis de deflexão; que o TiMolium® apresentou características intermediárias entre o aço e o TMA®; que em todas as ligas o aumento das distâncias implicou em aumento significativo da força entre todos os valores registrados; e que os incrementos de carga necessários para defletir os arcos nos intervalos tenderam a decrescer do primeiro ao último intervalo, sendo essas diferenças mais significantes no aço, menores no TiMolium® e praticamente inexistentes no TMA®.

The present study compared forces in stainless steel, TiMolium® and TMA®, V-bend intrusion arches with different magnitudes of flexion. The sample consisted of rectangular-section wires, caliber .017" x .025", with ten arches of each alloy. All V-bends were made 48 mm from the midline, using the same phantom upper jaw, maintaining the same distance between the tubes fixed to the molars and the midline. Loads necessary to deflect the arches by 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm were measured by means of an Instron dynamometer with a 1 kgf load cell. Calculations for sample size confirmed the suitability of using 10 arches of each alloy. Variance tests (ANOVA) of one factor and three levels, complemented by the Tukey test for multiple comparisons, identified that TMA® intrusion arches required a smaller quantity of load in relation to conventional steel and TiMolium® at all levels of flexion. Furthermore, TiMolium® presented intermediary characteristics between steel and TMA®, and in all alloys increase in distance entailed a significant increase in force between all registered values, and that the increase in load necessary to deflect the arches at the intervals tended to decrease from first to last interval, these differences being more significant in steel, less in TiMolium® and practically non-existent in TMA®.

O presente estudo avaliou a correlação entre expansão transversal e aumento no perímetro do arco dentário superior, após disjunção maxilar, em dezoito pares de modelos de gesso, obtidos antes e depois de aproximadamente cinco meses da disjunção maxilar. Os modelos foram fotocopiados e as variáveis largura intermolares, largura intercaninos, comprimento e perímetro do arco dentário superior foram mensuradas por meio de paquímetro digital. Depois de verificado o erro do método, um modelo de regressão múltipla foi desenvolvido em seqüência à identificação do melhor conjunto de variáveis. A equação resultante permitiu concluir que o aumento no perímetro do arco é dado pela adição de 0,54 vezes a alteração intercaninos e de 0,87 vezes a alteração no comprimento do arco.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the correlation between transverse expansion and the increase in upper arch perimeter, after maxillary expansion. Dental casts of eighteen patients were obtained before treatment and again five months after maxillary expansion. Measurements of intermolar width, intercanine width, arch length and arch perimeter were made with a digital caliper on photocopies taken from the dental casts. After assessment of the method error, a multiple regression model was developed following the identification of the best subset of variables. The resulting equation led to the conclusion that the increase in arch perimeter is approximately given by the addition of 0.54 times the intercanine expansion, and 0.87 times the arch length alteration.

O etanol é um dos agentes químicos relacionados ao desenvolvimento de neoplasias malignas bucais. Os micronúcleos são porções de cromatina que permanecem próximas ao núcleo, resultantes de mitoses aberrantes após a ação de agentes genotóxicos. Dessa forma, sua ocorrência reflete o grau de exposição celular a carcinógenos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a freqüência de micronúcleos em células esfoliadas da língua e da mucosa jugal de indivíduos dependentes químicos de etanol. A amostra constou de células esfoliadas da língua e da mucosa jugal de 40 indivíduos alcoólatras não fumantes e de 20 abstêmios de álcool e fumo. As células obtidas foram coradas pelo método de Feulgen e contracoradas pelo "Fast Green". Observou-se um aumento estatisticamente significativo da freqüência de micronúcleos em células esfoliadas da língua no grupo de indivíduos expostos ao etanol em relação ao grupo controle (p < 0,01). A freqüência de micronúcleos em células esfoliadas da mucosa jugal apresentou-se maior no grupo de indivíduos alcoólatras quando comparado ao grupo controle, porém não houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p > 0,05). Conclui-se, portanto, que o consumo excessivo de etanol promove alterações efetivas em células da mucosa bucal, mesmo na ausência de exposição ao fumo. Tais alterações apresentam-se mais expressivas no bordo lateral de língua, um sítio mais exposto à ação de carcinógenos quando comparado à mucosa jugal.

Ethanol is one of the chemicals related to the development of oral malignant neoplasms. Micronuclei are chromatin fragments which, after aberrant mitoses, do not become included in the main nucleus. They have been used as indicators of genotoxic damage in cells exposed to carcinogens. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of micronuclei in exfoliated cells from the tongue and buccal mucosa of alcoholic individuals. Samples were taken from the tongue and buccal mucosa of 40 alcoholic individuals who did not smoke, and from 20 alcohol and tobacco abstainers. Cells were stained with the Feulgen reaction and counterstained with Fast Green. A significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei in tongue cells was found in the group of subjects exposed to alcohol, when compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The frequency of micronuclei in buccal mucosa cells was higher in the group of alcoholic individuals, when compared to the control group, although there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). Our results indicate that excessive alcohol consumption may induce effective alterations on oral mucosa cells, even without exposure to tobacco. These alterations are more expressive in the tongue, which is a site more exposed to the action of carcinogens, when compared to the buccal mucosa.

Este estudo avaliou as condições de saúde bucal de 340 crianças de 0-30 meses de idade (21,3 ± 5,6), sendo 54,4% meninos, 45,6% meninas, de 20 creches de Salvador, considerando lesões incipientes e relacionando-as a alguns fatores determinantes da cárie. Os exames foram realizados por um único examinador utilizando-se espelho, sonda e lanterna. Os dentes foram limpos, secos com gaze e as lesões classificadas de acordo com o grau de severidade em cinco níveis (C0-C4; ativa/inativa). Um questionário avaliou o conhecimento sobre a cárie, fatores de risco, instrução, renda familiar e uso de flúor. Foram incluídos 229 questionários (67,35%). A análise dos dados foi realizada no Epi-info 6.02. Observou-se uma prevalência de cárie de 55,3% quando todos os estágios da lesão foram considerados: 25% entre 0-12 meses; 51,18% entre 13-24 meses; 71,03% entre 25-30 meses (chi² = 25,31; p < 0,01). Avaliando-se apenas manchas brancas ativas, 49,7% das crianças mostraram-se afetadas e 17,6%, apenas com lesões cavitadas. Das crianças afetadas, 90,96% apresentavam apenas dentes anteriores afetados: 80% das lesões eram incipientes e 20%, cavitadas. Não foi observada diferença significante entre sexos. O aumento da quantidade de biofilme dental mostrou associação positiva com a cárie nesta faixa etária (chi² = 67,61; p < 0,01) e a porcentagem de crianças afetadas mostrou-se maior na presença de aleitamento noturno (chi² = 0,24; p = 0,62). Foi observado um aumento da prevalência de cárie com a idade (chi² = 25,31; p < 0,01) e com o número de dentes irrompidos (chi² = 122,95; p < 0,01). Sugere-se atenção precoce à saúde bucal para o diagnóstico de lesões incipientes e adoção de medidas educativas e preventivas, incentivando mudanças na higiene bucal e dieta.

This study evaluated the oral health conditions of 340 children, aged 0-30 months (21.3 ± 5.6) - 54.4% of girls and 45.6% of boys - from 20 public day nurseries of Salvador (Brazil), as to the presence of incipient carious lesions. The exam was carried out by a single examiner, who utilized a mirror, a probe and a penlight. The teeth were wiped with gauzes in order to remove the dental plaque. A questionnaire was answered by the children’s parents or caretakers in order to assess information regarding knowledge on caries, caries risk factors, socioeconomic status of the family and utilization of fluoride. Two hundred and twenty-nine answered questionnaires (67.35%) were obtained. The observed lesions were classified in five stages, according to their severity (C0-C4; active/inactive). The data were analyzed using the Epi-info 6.02. The prevalence of caries was 55.3% when all stages were registered: 25% for subjects aged 0-12 months, 51.18% for subjects aged 13-24 months and 71.03% for those aged 25-30 months (chi² = 25.31, p < 0.01). When only active white spots were considered, 49.7% of the children were affected; 17.6% of the children presented with cavitated lesions. Among the affected children, 90.96% had lesions only on anterior teeth: 80% of the lesions were white spots and 20%, cavities. No significant difference was observed between genders. The increased amount of biofilm was positively associated with dental decay in toddlers (chi² = 67.61, p < 0.01), and the number of affected children increased when the sleep-time nursing habit was present (chi² = 0.24, p = 0.62). The prevalence of lesions increased with age and with the number of erupted teeth (chi² = 25.31, p < 0.01; chi² = 122.95, p < 0.01). Early oral health attention, diagnosis of incipient lesions, as well as educative and preventive programs to change oral hygiene and dietary habits are suggested.